Signal means



28, 1937. v, CRANFQRD 2,103,247

SIGNAL MEANS Filed May 27, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 28, 1937. v. CRANFORD 2,103,247

- I SIGNAL MEANS Filed May27, 1935 5 Sheos-Sheefi 2 Egg-m INVENTOR.

V'Qv Crazjgr l, 81 M a A TORNEYS.

Dec. 28, 1937. v. CRANFORD' 2,103,247

SIGNAL MEANS Filed May 27, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Q zcZor Crcuzfo rd,

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 28, 1937 Victor Cranford, San Fernando, Calif. Y Application May 27, 1935, Serial No. 23,560

1 Claim.

This invention relates to signaling devices for vehicles, such as automobiles, trucks, trains, street-cars, boats, and the like, and particularly to a signal device for indicating a contemplated change in the course of such a vehicle, references herein to change in course of a vehicle being understood to include both a change in direction of a vehicle or a change in speed, such as a right turn, left turn, slowing or stopping.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a signal device for motor vehicles which provides for automatic return from signaling or indicating position to normal position after the desired change in the course of such vehicle is effected.

One of the particular objects of the invention is to provide a directionv signal for Vehicles in which movement thereof from a normal or nonindicating position to indicating position is obtained through manual operation of a suitable control means, and return of said signal to said non-indicating position is effected through a change in the course of the vehicle itself.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signaling means which may be associated with a vehicle adapted to operate on a fixed course, such as a street-car or the like, in which movement of such signal from a normal or non-indicating position to indicating position is obtained through manual operation of a suitable control means and return of said signal to non-indicating position is effected through a change in position of a portion of such vehicle with respect to the main body of such vehicle in response to travel of such vehicle over said fixed course.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signaling means for a motor vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine, which is associated with the intake manifold of such in-' ternal combustion engine in such manner that the reduced pressure in such manifold is employed to eiTect operation of the device from non-indicating to indicating position, and to cause the same to persist in such. position, responsive to the setting of valve means under control of the operator of such vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described provided with an improved form of manually operated control means which may be moved to position to cause movement of the signal device to the desired indicating position but which will automatically move to return the signaling device to non-indicating position in response to movement of the steering apparatusof the vehicle.

The device of the present invention may comprise a combination of a signal indicator, indicator operating means, a source of energy for causing said operating means to function, a switching means for effecting selective operative association of said operating means and said source of energy, and control means associated with said switching means. The signal indicating means may comprise any suitable typeof device adapted to be disposed in any one of a plurality of signaling positions or to otherwise provide any one of a plurality'of identifying signals. Such means may advantageously comprise a semaphore arm, a rotatable drum carrying a plurality of signal legends, a plurality of lights of different color, or the like, the semaphore armbeing specifically described herein as a preferred type. The character of the operating meansfor the signal indicating means will be dependent upon the particular type of signal indicating means employed, that is, where a semaphore arm or aof colored lamps are employed the electric bulbs themselves may be considered as the operating means. The source of energy may also be dependent upon the specific type of indicating means employed, 1. e., a supply of fluid under pressure, a storage battery, or the like. The

switching means may comprise valve means where the operatin'g'means is fluid actuated, or may comprise electrical switching means where the operating means is electrically actuated. The control means preferably comprises a movable lever member in position to be'operated by muscular effort on the part of the operator of the vehicle, as through the agency of the operator's hand or foot, and the portion of such means which controls the positioning of the indicating means with respect to signals which indicate a proposed change in direction of the vehicle, i. e., a right or left turn, is preferably operatively associated with the steering apparatus for the vehicle, or withsome other portionof the vehicle which changes position with respect tothe main body of the vehicle in response to a turning movement of said vehicle, in such manner that-when moved by the operator to a desired setting it will remain in such setting while the vehicle is Wllling to deviate from a straight course but will be dislodged from such setting and allowed to return to neutral position when the vehicle begins to resume a straight course.

Other objects of the invention will be brought out in the ensuing description of certain embodiments thereof, or will be apparent therefrom, and referring to said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a partly broken-away view of an automobile steering wheel showing the control device of.-the present invention associated.therewith, said view-beingstaken on line ll' inFig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof; Fig. 3 is a detail thereof taken on line 33. in

Fig. 2, showing the switch-operating portion 'of the device in a position corresponding to ithess'etting of the control lever as showndn Fig. 4; t

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Fig. 1, showing the control device in?- a ifleftzturn". position; a

sssignal: indicating :device and its operating'means; Fig. 6 is anaend' sectionahielevationsthereof -itaken':0n line-6'r6:-in'i 1ig;--;5;

.."Fig. 7:;is .a.;fragmentary view-thereof taken::on :.25;;line 1- -1 in Ffignfi;

.Fig: 8.1s arpartlyrdiagrammatic View ofamodi- JZfiI-LdfOIIIT of: signalop'erating means .zrFigr: 9 is: a: detail {0ft azform: of walve operating -.:means which a may"; be associatecb with a brake 'pedalzor the like. for. controlling-one position of the signal: indicating. means; E'FigplO is ardiagrammatical view shovnngfthe 'rrmanner'xof: z'associ'atingwnanw indicator aoperating :tmeans; andrcontrol' valve means forneifectingmpaeration ofitheaoperating 'means to :rightsturn,

"lleftturni; and stop: positions;

:Figizllw is asection'al view of :oneformoff-valve -means-which may rbeassociated=with a. manual controkmeans of the present:-inventiomrthismg- 0; lure indicating a ffn'eutral v -or non-indicating-setin L. J Q.

' ':-"Fig.:12-is ayiew-corresponding toFiga .-1l--showing the valve means. in:v afileft-turn setting;

:1" Fig. 13;.is. a .viewacorresponding to ilg-tshowing: a'rform. of :valve means: which may be ..associated'swith a brake rpedalior; thelike according-to :rthe :present invention;

Figs. 14 is a ipartlyt diagrammatimshowingof an electroemagneticlytype;.of signals pper-ating means;

Eig. 15: is a'NiBWiCOI-TBSDOHGiHQ generally'toEig. .4; showing. a modified form of control device. in zal'eft' turmposition which may be .-associatedwith a Tstreet-icar ftruck;".or the like ;,and v w o a Fig. lfitiS aadiag'rammatic'showing ofarstneet- :car truck-with :which. the device-shown 'in- Riga-l4 :-;may be associated. i a

EFReferring' particularly to Figs. l.-.to- 4,.the .con- 'zventional automobile-steering'wheel;is indicated 60.:--at. l ;=comprising a; rim portion. I aeprovideds with Fig. 5 is a front elevation of one form of the otally secured to the post 5 as by means of bearings l5 and IS. The lever I3 is preferably provided with a projecting end portion I! for engagement by the hand of the operator and the shaft l4 carries at its lower end a crank member l8 linked to a switch-actuating rod 19 mounted on a suitable supporting element 2| which may be secured to a fixed portion of the body of the automobile, as shown at 22.-

.The. outerportion of .thernember 6 .is. provided with an arcuate edg 23 which has the axis of the shaft I4 as a center and a suitable latch .smember 24 pivotally mounted on the lever l3 as at 25 is provided in position to engage said edge 'IThe release members 8 and 9 are provided with a tension. spring 26 biasing the projections "II and I2 toward one another against a centrally .fdisposed stop member 2'1, and the upper or outer edge portions 28 and 29 of said release members arepr'eferably cam shaped with respect to the pivotal mounting thereof at 3] and 32 whereby movement of the.-.latch member 24 alongzthe-edge 23 its a-left-hand-directionwill. effect a' clockwiserotationof the release member 8 and move- ,ment :thereof in a right-hand direction- Wi1l.f

.- feet a counter-clockwise rotationv of the release -.-member. 9. -.-At.each end of-thearcuate edge -23 I-sprovide' an inwardly directed HOtChzOLdGtEht means, as shownat33 and 34, into which-the latch member 24.-maybe urged by asuitable-ten- .smn spring-35 mounted onllever l3,- causingsaid lever J3 to persistineither a right-handortlefthand-position, a left hand position thereof being .eindicatedin Fig. 4.

When one of the'release members, forexample- I "themember 8, is rotated about itspivot 3L'from itsnormal. position in Fig.1 1 .tol. themposition .shown in solidlinesin Fig.= l, the projection II will. be brought closer. .theaxis of rotation 36 of ..the steering wheel Land I provide one or more. .actuatingmembers such...as depending ,lugs. or pins. 3'1: .securedto ..said.steeringaivheel .in..any suitable. manner. as -at: one .or. more-0f. the spokes 2, .said. -lug .projecting.downwardly. .towardthe -member. 6 .in position .to engage. said projection H. Assuming an. actuatinglmember or pin 31 to be to'the right-of the projection I l, upon ro- .tating the steering wheeLin a counter-clockwise direction and'the pin '31. will bearagainst the right-hand edge of the projection H; as may be.- visualized from'Fig. 4, and the release member 8 will-be rotated in a clockwise" direction to some such position as indicated in dot-dash lines in saidfigureftheposition of thepin" 31 at that instant: being also shown in dot-dash'lines. "As

the pin- 3'l-passesrthe 'tip of "the projection I I, 1' saidprojection'willr-bemoved in acounter-clockn-wise direction due' to the tension of spring 26. un-

til .the edge thereof -28 engages .the latch 24; :the

spring 35. associated .withsaid latch 2 being of l adequate strength .toprevent dislocationof said latch from the detent means or notch33 due to such movement..' Thus, assumingthe lever l3 to be moved to this left-position .to control the signal indicating means for aleft-hand turn as will besubsequently'described, rotation of the steering-wheel' l in aloft-hand or counter-clockwise direction will not disturb the setting of said lever. After the vehicle has turned to the left a sufficient amount, the'wheel I will be rotated in a right hand or clockwise direction *bytheoperator. and when therpin 31 engages the projection I i as-shown-in full linesinFig. 4-further wmovement of :the wheel-in a-right hand:direction will .force. the edge 28. .of the release. member 8.x

against the latch 24 and move said latch clear of the notch 33. Associated with the lever |3 and its shaft I 4 et cetera I provide a spring means which tends to maintain said lever in the central or neutral position shown in Fig. 1, so that when the latch 24 is released as above described, said lever will return to said neutral position. This spring means may advantageously comprise two opposing spring members 4| and 42 disposed about the rod I9, the respective left and righthand ends of the springs 4| and 42 bearing against suitable adjustably mountedstop members 43 and 44 mounted on the supporting element 2| and the respective right and left-hand ends of said springs bearing against a pin or other stop member 45 secured to the rod I9. When the lever I3 is in the left-hand position shown in Fig. 4, the spring 4| will'thus be compressed from its normal state and will serve to bias said lever to neutral position upon release of the latch 24.

Operation of the lever I3 to and from a righthand position will be understood to be entirely comparable to the above-described operation thereof to and from the left-hand position, and no further description thereof is believed necessary.

The signal indicator and the operating means therefor are shown in Figs. 5 to 7, and may comprise a semaphore arm 5| mounted on a shaft 52 journaled on suitable bearings 53 disposed on a casing 54 provided with a slot 55 in the forward face thereof through which said arm may extend in signal-indicating position. As will be apparent from a consideration of these figures, the arm 5| is adapted to assume any desired position with respect to the vertical, to indicate the vehicle operators intended change in the operation of the vehicle. Three arm signals are customarily employed in automobile operation; the operator generally indicating a contemplated stop or deceleration by extending his left arm (assuming a left-hand drive vehicle) in a downwardly inclined position; a left-turn by extending the left arm horizontally outwardly, and a right-turn by extending the arm in an upwardly inclined position. These positions are indicated in Fig. 6 at A, B, and C, respectively. It will be appreciated that in any locality where custom has established signal indications other than the above, the associated parts of the present-described mechanism may be re-associated in their correct relation to the desired signals.

The operating means for the semaphore arm 5| may comprise a plurality of fluid operated cylinders 56, 51, and 58, provided with pistons 59, 6|, and 62, respectively, and these pistons are provided with piston-rods 63, 64, and 65 secured to flexible cables 65, 61, and 68. The cables 66, 67, and 68 wrap around and are secured to pulleys 69, TI and 12 which are carried by and freely rotatable on the shaft 52. The pulleys are respectively provided with radially projecting lifter-arms l3, l4, and 15 which normally extend downwardly in position to bear against a lifterbar '16 extending parallel to the shaft 52 and secured to the arm 5|, the lifter-arm I3 for the pulley 69 being shown in full-line position in Fig. 6.

As shown in these figures, three separate cylinders and piston assemblies are provided for the three described signal positions, and in order to raise the semaphore arm 5| to the required distance or elevation to indicate the desired signal, I so arrange the length of the cables 66, 6?, and

celeration of the vehicle is provided with a relatively short stroke, as by. being positioned near the bottom of the cylinder 51. The-above arrangement of three separate cylinders and pistons; is illustrative only, and it will be obvious that the control means of this invention may be adapted to signalling device's other than those shown.

Fig. 8 illustrates a construction in which the three operating cylinders and pistons are associated with a common operating rod for effecting movement of a signal arm to the three required positions, and referring thereto, the rightturn cylinder is shown at R, the left-turn cylinder is shown at L, and the stop cylinder is shown at S, the piston for the cylinder R being shown as operating directly on an operating rod IDI which carries a flexible cable or the like I62 secured to the periphery of a rotatably mounted drum I63 as at I64, said drum carrying a signal arm I05. The cylinders Land S are operatively associated with the rod IIlI through rods I66 and, I0? provided with collars I08 and I09 slidably disposed on the rod IIll, suitable stop members III and -|I2 being provided on said rod I6! for engagement by said collars. If desired, suitable turnbuckles or the like may be provided for the respective rods as at II3, H4, and H5, so that the desired stroke of the respective pistons may be adjusted to. give the required signal indication, the length of stroke for the, respective. pistons being arranged as above described. It will be appreciated that the fiexiblecablep-ortion I02 may be made as long as required, whereby the cylinder and piston assembly may be disposed at some convenient portion of the vehicle, for example, under the floor boards, and the operating cable carried over suitable pulleys to the semaphore arm, which maybe disposed at any desired location on the vehicle.

In view of the fact that movement of the semaphore arm 5|, or comparably the arm I65, from normal position to right-turn indicating position C is necessarily relatively rapid so that the desired signal may be promptly given, I prefer to provide some means for absorbing the principal proportionof the momentum of saidarm near the top position, .and for this purpose I may employ a link member I2I having its lower end slidably disposed about the rod 63 and its upper end associated with the lifter-bar 76. whereby a downward movement of the rod 63 will be accompanied by. an upward movement of the link I2I, and stop means I22 are provided on said rod 63 for engagement with the link |2I at the proper position corresponding to a semaphore arm position 0'. The association of the link I 2| with the lifter-bar 16 may be obtained through an arm I23 pivotally mounted on the shaft 52 and positioned for engagement by the said bar I6 during movement thereof with the semaphore arm 5|, the link I 2| being pivotally secured to the arm I23 as at I24. Theposition assumed by "the link means when the semaphore is in position C shown in dot-dashlines in Fig. 6, it being seen that the lifter-bar 16 is in' engagement with the arm I23 and the lower end portion of the link I2I is in engagement with thestop member I22, suitable shock absorbing means being preferably provided between the lower end of the link I2I and said stop member I22, such as rubber washers or the like I25.

Return of the semaphore arm 5| from position A to normal or non-indicating position shown in full lines in Fig. 6 may be somewhat sluggish due to the relatively small gravity component on said arm and I prefer to provide for biasing the arm into the normal position. Such biasing means may comprise a weight member I3I secured to a flexible cable I32 which passes overa pulley or the like I33 suitably secured to the casing 54 as thru a hanger I34, said cable-being secured to the lifter-bar 15 as at I35. The upper edge of. the pulley I33 is preferably disposed approximately horizontally with regard to the lifter-bar 15 so that the full effect of the weight I3! may be utilized to force the arm 5| inwardly, and it is apparent that this weight will have comparatively little effect upon the arm 5I when said arm is in position C inasmuch as thelifterbar 16 and the cable I32 will then be in the position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. '1, in which the force of said weight is applied substantially on a line passing through the center of rotation of the arm (shaft 52) and the lever arm thereon is relatively short.

As shown in Fig. 10, the indicator-operating means, i. e., the cylinders, pistons, and the associated cables may be operated by atmospheric pressure against the upper wall of said pistons, the lower ends of the cylinders 55, 51, and 58 being provided with connections 8|, 82, and 83. which connect with the intake manifold 84 of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle with which the device may be associated, thus providing a reduced pressure againstwhich such atmospheric pressure may act. The connections 8|, 82, and 83 are preferably provided with drain cocks 8I 82 and 83, as shown in Fig. 5, whereby accumulated moisture and oil may be periodically drained away; The right and left turn cylinders 56 and 58 communicate with the intake manifold 84 thru a four-way valve 85 operated by the rod l9 through the agency of a crank 85, a suitable connection 81 leading from said valve to said manifold. The connection 82 for the stop cylinder 51 communicateswith the manifold 84 through a three-way valve 88 which is provided with operating means associated with the brake pedal of the vehicle, as shown in Fig, 9, a connection 89' being provided from said valve '88 to the intake manifold 84. The valves 85 and 88 are preferably provided with connections I42 and I 82 open to the atmosphere, as more fully described hereinafter.

The operating means forthe valve 88 may comprise an arcuate arm 9I secured to a plate or arm 92 pivotally mounted adjacent the brake lever 93, for example, on the dash-board as at 94. A suitable tension spring is provided to bias the member 92 against the brake lever 93 so that as the brake lever is depressed to operating position such as shown in dot-dash lines in said figure, the arcuate member 9| will be moved to some such position as is: shown in dot-dash lines at BIA. A suitable operating arm 95 is provided for the valve 88 which may be pivotally engaged by the arm 9| whereby movement of said arm 9| in the above described manner will effect a rotation of the valve stem.

In view of the fact that under some conditions, for example, when the internal combustion engine is being strongly accelerated, the vacuum in the intake manifold 84 may drop appreciably, a vacuum reserve tank is preferably provided as at 91 which communicates through a connection 98 and a check valve 99 to said manifold 84, the respective connections 89 and 81 to the valves 88 and 85 being connected to the connection 98 at the same side of the check valve 99 as the tank 91. With this arrangement, temporary loss of vacuum in the intake manifold will not prevent normal operation of the signal arm, due to the low pressure which is established in the tank 91. It will be appreciated that this tank may be disposed .in any convenient location, as under the body of the car or under the running board.

In Figs. 11 and 12 I have shown a form of fourwayvalve which may be advantageously employed at 85 according to the present invention, said valve being operatively connected to the crank 86 which is associated with the actuating rod l9. This valve may comprise a casing I4I provided with a vacuum connection 81, a rightturn connection 8 I, a left-turn connection 83, and a connection I42 communicating with the atmosphere. The casing I4! is provided with a rotatable plug I43 which is provided with a port I44 in position to register with the connection 81 and branching into side ports I45 and I46 in position to register respectively with the connec tions 8I and 83 in right and left-turn positions of the lever I3. The plug I43 is also provided with a port I41 which will establish communication between the connections 8|, 83, and the connection I42 when the valve plug is in neutral position as shown in Fig. 11 so that after operation of either the right or left-turn cylinders, connection will be established to the atmosphere to relieve the reduced pressure in such cylinder and allow the semaphore arm to return to normal or non-indicating position, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In Fig. 13 I have shown a form of three-way valve which may be employed at 88, which may comprise a casing I8I provided with a vacuum connection 89, .a connection 82 leading to the cylinder 51, and a connection I82 leading to the atmosphere. A rotatable plug is provided at I83, having a port I84 in position to register with the connections 89 and '82 when the lever 95 is turned tothe position indicated at 9IA in Fig. 9, and having a port I85 in position to register with the connections 82 and I82 when the valve is in closed positionas shown, opening the cylinder 51 to the atmosphere.

Fig. 14 illustrates an electromagnetic device for operation of a signal indicator such as a semaphore arm I5I, and may comprise an operating rod I52 extending axially thru a plurality of solenoids I53, I54, and I55, said solenoids providing for operation of the semaphore arm to stop, left turn, and right turn positions respectively. Suitable soft iron armatures are provided at various positions along the length of the rod I52 as at I58, I51, and I58, the relative strokes of the rod I52 for the several indicating positions being established by displacement of the respective armatures from the center lines ss', Z'-Z', and r'r of said solenoids. Upon energization of the solenoid I53 the armature I58 will seek the center line s'-s", elevating the semaphore I5I to position corresponding to that shown at A in Fig-6.. Energization of the solenoid I54 will cause the armature I51 to seek the center line ZZ', causing the semaphore to move to position shown at B in Fig. 6, and, correspondingly, energization of the solenoid I55 will cause the armature I55 to seek the center line r'r and effect movement of the semaphore arm to the position shown at C in Fig. 5. This type of operating means, while positive in movement, will cause a slight oscillating movement of the signal arm when moved to any one signal indicating position, a feature which is of some advantage inasmuch as the signal attracts more attention by such movement. This oscillating movement is occasioned by the respective armatures seeking the center lines of the solenoids, and may be eliminated or diminished to the desired extent by providing adequate damping means for the rod 52, as will be apparent to one skilled in electrical arts. The control means such as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 will be associated with electrical switching means when this type of operating means is employed, instead of with valve means as above described, and a suitable type of switching means is indicated at I59 which may comprise a brush I6I operatively associated with the crank 83 and the arm I9, adapted to contact a segment I62 associated with the solenoid I55 when the lever I3 is moved to left-turn indicating position, or to contact a segment I53 associated with the solenoid I55 whenthe lever I3 is moved to right-turn-indicating position. The solenoid I53 may be controlled by a switch I64 which may be associated with the foot brake after the manner of the three-way valve 88,

which switch may comprise a brush I65 adapted to contact a segment I56, associated with said solenoid I53, upon operation of the brake pedal. The switches I59 and I54 are provided with suitable connection to a battery I51, and supply of energy to the switch I54 is preferably established only when the manual control means is in neutral or non-indicating position, as by connecting the brush I65 to a contact segment I58 on the switch L59 after the manner shown. This arrangement will prevent energization of the solenoid i53 by operation of the brake pedal when either the solenoid I54 or I55 is energized.

Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate the application of the present invention to a non-dirigible vehicle, such as a street-car or the like, in which application a rotatable drum MI is substituted for the steering wheel 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 4, said drum being rotatable in response to movement of a portion of the vehicle with respect to the main body ofsuch vehicle during the turning movement of the vehicle, such as a four-wheel truck I12 as shown in Fig. 16. The operative association of the drum I1I with the truck I12 may be obtained through a cable I13 having its ends attached to opposite sides of the truck I12 and its inner portion wrapped around the drum I1I as at I14. As.

engaged in the notch 33 in the frame member 6 and the release member 8 moved out of normal position( Movement of the truck I12 from the dot-dash position tothe full line position shown in Fig. 16 will cause a rotation of the drum I1I In Fig. 15 the lever I3 isshown in left-turn-indicating position, with the latch 24.

in a counter-clockwise directiomand a lug I15 mounted on the drum I1Ijwill pass saidme'm her 8 in the same manner asdescribed above, in connection with the'pin 31, without disturbing 1 the latch 24. When the truck moves from the elplos non-indicating position.

It will be apparent that any other portion of the vehicle which has a movement relative to the main body of the vehicle to which the control means shown in; Fig. 15 is attached, may be employed tojrotate the drum I1I. For example, the trolley mechanism with which a street-car is customarily provided may be provided with a drum or the like and the cable I13 passed around this drum and the drum I1I.

Numerous modifications of the various elements .of this invention will occur to one familiar with the art, and I do not choose, to be ,limited to the specific embodiments herein disclosed, but rather to the scope of the appended claim,

I claim:

In combination with a vehicle having a body portion and a portion movable relative to said.

body portion during a change in course of said vehicle, a signal indicator control device which comprises: lever means pivotally mounted for movement to positions to the right and left sides, respectively, of a central neutral position, said lever means being provided with operative as-' sociation with a signal indicator to efiect operation of said indicator to right-turn and'leftl I turn indicating positions upon movement of said lever means to the respective right and left'side positions; spring means biasing said lever means to said neutral position; a supporting structure mounted on said body portion and provided with detent means and biased toward normal positions. for engagement by said latch means upon movement of said lever means to the respective right and left side positions, 'said latch means being adapted to bear against the'respective release members when moved into engagement with the respective detent means to move such release member about its pivot to a displaced position; an actuating member secured to saidrelatively movable vehicle portion and constrained to move through a fixed path during a change in course of said vehicle, each of said release members being,

provided with a portion positioned in said fixed path when in said displaced position and movable out ofsaid fixed path about its respective pivot upon engagement thereof by said actuating memher, the release member associated with the rightside detent means being adapted to draw away from said latch means upon engagement of said portion of said release member by said actuating member in one direction corresponding to a change in course of said vehicle to the right and to moveto normalposition .andforce said latch means from said detent means upon, engagement actuatingmembrinsaid bther direction and 0 move" to-normal position and. force said latch means fifom' said detent means upon engagement of I said portion by said actuating member in said one direction.

VICTOR CRANFORD." 

